A smile can say a lot about a person, and it tells us a lot about how he/she is feeling. When you use words to describe a smile, you can also express how you feel about that person.
There are so many words to describe a smile that you probably haven’t ever considered before.
We’ll cut that list of words to describe smile down to about 20 words so that they are easy to remember. You can use these words in pretty much any situation.
Seven words to describe smile from your crush
A smile from your crush/lover can mean the world to you. It can brighten up your day, and it can make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Here are seven words to describe smile from your crush/lover:
01Captivating
The word “captivating” describes something that catches your attention. This thing that holds your interest also makes it hard to look away or stop thinking about it.
This is a good word to use to describe a smile from a crush/lover when the smile makes you feel lost in its beauty.
E.g. “There are many things about Alicia that draws me to her, but her captivating smile takes the cake.”
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02Enchanting
Something “enchanting” is charming or attractive, and this is true to the point that it is almost magical. It is unlike anything you’ve seen before, and you can’t help but feel compelled towards it.
This is a good word to describe a smile from an attractive person whom you can’t seem to ignore or avoid looking at. An enchanting smile may give you butterflies in your stomach or leave you feeling as though you’re speechless.
E.g. “I love that lipstick shade on you because it makes your smile even more enchanting.”
03Flirtatious
The root word of ”flirtatious” is the word “flirt” which refers to playful words or actions that a person finds attractive.
A flirtatious smile is one that is suggestive, meaning it alludes to the fact that your crush/lover is attracted to or even aroused by you.
You will know when this word is good to use because it will suit the moment. It is good to use when you feel chemistry with another person.
E.g. “Marsha was giving me flirtatious looks and smiles today. I think she might be into me.”
Photo by Dreamer’s Journal on reshot
04Friendly
A friendly smile is warm and inviting. It makes you feel comfortable and welcome. It may provoke you to speak to the person or embrace your crush/lover.
It is best used with a crush because it’s one way that you can know if he/she likes you or someone else.
E.g. “Mark is finally noticing me! I walked past him in the hallway, and he gave me a friendly smile. Maybe, our next step is the start of a relationship!”
05Kind
A kind smile can also be viewed as a polite smile. When the word “kind” is used, it can say a lot about how a person is feeling towards you or how he/she feels in general.
This reaction means that he/she doesn’t find you offensive or repulsive, and he/she will likely be nice to you. It can also say that he/she is friendly or in a good mood.
It is good to use with a crush/lover because this gives you the impression that you are in good standing with the person.
E.g. “My favorite things about Lee are his kind eyes and his smile. They make me feel safe.”
You can use the word “sweet” to describe a smile that you find pleasant. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your crush is a sweet guy or girl, but the smile gives you an impression of sweetness.
E.g. “Who’s the new girl that sits with us in French class? Her smile is sweet, and her laugh is infectious. I’d love to get to know her better.”
Photo by Dasha Pats on reshot
07Wonderful
“Wonderful” is a word that you can use for pretty much anything that you gives you a feeling of pleasure or admiration.
You can use it for a crush/a lover to say that the smile is better than most smiles that you come across, and you are delighted every time you see it.
E.g. “Have you ever really looked at my girlfriend’s wonderful smile? It’s my favorite thing about her.”
Eight words to describe smile based on emotions
We already told you that a smile can describe how someone is feeling, and now it’s time to show you some examples of this. So, here are eight words to describe smile based on emotions:
08Cold
Sometimes, people can smile at you, but there isn’t any emotion there. They are just smiling for the sake of smiling. This can be understood as a cold smile.
This is a good word to use to express this emotion to someone else because it can show that the person lacked emotion or looked unfriendly.
E.g. “I hate when my mother makes me visit Old man Harris. His house smells; his voice is creepy, and his smile is always so cold.”
Photo by karstenwinegeart on reshot
09Humorless
A humorless smile is one that doesn’t show any sign of pleasure or joy. The person is also just smiling for the sake of smiling, and he/she isn’t truly enjoying him/herself.
It is good to use when talking about someone who seems aloof or uncomfortable around large crowds. It’s also good to use for someone who is stuck up and who doesn’t allow him/herself to have fun.
E.g. “He was with us, but he wasn’t really with us. I could tell from his humorless smile and body language.”
10Melancholic
The word “melancholic” is a fancy way of saying “sad.” Melancholic smiles are gloomy and depressing. They are typically used to deceive others into thinking that the person who is smiling is fine when they are not.
E.g. “She’s a beautiful girl with tons of friends, but anyone who dares to look closer can see the truth behind her melancholic smile.”
Nervous smiles show that you or someone else feels anxious. Perhaps, it can show fear or discomfort in a specific situation.
It is good to use in difficult situations in which a person may crack a smile to hide true emotions and make it appear as though everything is fine (when it’s not).
E.g. “He was trying so hard to impress her, but we could spot that nervous smile from a mile away.”
Photo by Kevin Bidwell under pexels license
12Plastic
A plastic smile is a fake smile. More often than not, you can tell when a smile is fake.
It is good to use when you know that the person is not being genuine to you or someone else, and you’re not in the mood to be played the fool.
E.g. “I know you don’t like me, Karen. You can wipe that plastic smile off of your face.”
Photo by Brooke Cagle on unsplash
13Sarcastic
The word “sarcastic” generally speaks to someone who is trying to be ironic or mock a situation, but it can also be used to talk about smiles.
This type of smile is similar to a regular or positive smile; however, the nose may be crinkled, and the eyes may convey some disdain.
E.g. “I already knew that I was doing something wrong, but my teacher’s sarcastic smile made me feel even worse about it.”
14Sly
A sly smile is one that is full of deception or trickery. It is insincere because it shows that the person is trying to hide something, or he/she is gloating because he/she has an advantage over you or another person.
It is good to use when someone whom you don’t trust flashes a smile at you, and you don’t want to show that you are being misled.
E.g. “My father always warned me not to trust the Turners. Today, their eldest son displayed a sly smile when everyone was looking for the lost phone, and that made me suspect him even more.”
Photo by Kyle Potocki on reshot
15Wistful
A wistful simile is one that is somewhat sad and shows a feeling of unfulfillment or longing. It is slight and seems difficult for the person to make.
It is good to use when you want to express that the person is going through a tough time, and the person is still trying to put on a brave face by giving a wistful smile.
E.g. “She stood at the entrance greeting all of the attendees. She looked pale, and her smile was wistful. My heart goes out to her and her family.”
How to describe smile from a child
A child’s smile is one of the purest expression that you could ever witness. Their innocence and joy shines through, and these smiles can uplift your mood. Here are five words to describe smile from a child:
16Bright
A bright smile is one that is extremely pleasant, energetic, and lovable. It is an ear-to-ear smile that displays a feeling of joy or excitement. For this reason, the word “bright” is perfect for describing a smile from a child.
E.g. “Little Jimmy has such a bright smile. He can light up a room when he shows his pearly white teeth.”
Photo by Erika on photo-ac
17Gummy
A gummy smile is one that is wide because it shows off all the person’s teeth and gums.
It is good to use when you mean it quite literally because the person is prone to showing teeth and gums when he/she smiles. This word also works well if you mean to say that the smile is big and broad.
E.g. “He’s such a cheeky toddler. You can see his gummy smile and flared nostrils when he answers you.”
18Infectious
An infectious smile is one that causes you to smile when you see the other person’s smile. It is common for adults to grin when they see children who are laughing or smiling because it brings joy to their hearts and amusement.
E.g. “My favorite part about visiting my nieces and nephews is seeing their infectious smiles at the window when we arrive.”
Photo by TakuAskw on photo-ac
19Joyful
A joyful smile is a happy smile, which is a smile that is full of joy. It is good to use when the child is in a good mood, and he/she is expressing this mood through a joyful facial expression.
E.g. “I enjoy going to the park and seeing kids with joyful smiles. It reminds me of when I was young, and life was much simpler than it is now.”
20Playful
A playful smile is a light-hearted smile. It is given in the midst of a good time, like playing games or when being entertained. It is good to use when you want to express that the child is having fun.
E.g. “Jill is such a jovial child. Every time that I see her, she has a playful smile on her face.”
Photo by Erika on photo-ac
When it’s a smile from a parent
A parent’s smile can be the most comforting thing in the world, no matter how old you are. Here are five words to describe smile from a parent:
21Cheerful
Saying that your parent has a cheerful smile is another way to say that he/she has a happy or optimistic smile. It is also good to use if the smile makes you happy when you see it.
E.g. “No matter how bad the situation is, my dad always manages to keep a cheerful smile on his face.”
Photo by Mandam on photo-ac
22Lovely
Normally, people use the word “lovely” to describe a woman’s smile, but you can also use it to describe your father’s smile if you find it to be appropriate or accurate.
It is good to use when the smile is attractive or pleasant as well.
E.g. “My mother is a refined woman, and she has a lovely smile.”
Making your parents proud is every kid’s dream, no matter how old the child is.
A proud smile can make a child feel accomplished, and it is good to use when you have done something that makes the parent feel happy about being a parent.
E.g. “Walking across that stage to collect my diploma and seeing my father’s proud smile in the audience were some of the happiest moments of my life.”
Photo by acworks on photo-ac
24Rare
A rare smile is one that you don’t see often. When you do see someone who has rare-looking smile, it may mean the world to you and remain in your memory.
This is good to use when your family isn’t generally affectionate or social.
E.g. “My dad is a pretty serious guy, but his rare smiles make the world feel better even if the smile lasts for only a few seconds.”
25Reassuring
When you’re in situations in which you doubt yourself, a reassuring smile can be just what you need to keep pushing and to succeed.
This is a good word to use when your parents are seeking to boost your confidence and self-esteem through a smile. Their reassuring smiles can make you feel better in any situation.
E.g. “I almost gave up in that soccer match, but my mom’s words of encouragement and reassuring smile gave me the push that I needed to bring home the cup for my team.”
Lastly
The best part about these words to describe smile is that you can use them in person or over messaging via texts and emails. You can use these words however you please.
They will still convey your meaning well as long as you choose the appropriate words for the appropriate occasion.
